An urgent recall has been issued for thousands of cooking pans sold nationwide over ‘significant’ contamination with chemicals linked to cancer and autism.
Several imported aluminum and brass cookware items, including pots, pans, and milk pans, sold at various US grocery stores were recalled between September and November 2025 after FDA testing revealed safety concerns.
Testing showed the pieces of cookware could be contaminated with significant levels of lead.
The affected products span multiple brands such as Sonex, Silver Horse, Chef, Dolphin, Royal Kitchen, and Tiger White, and were manufactured in Pakistan, India, and elsewhere, with distribution largely through regional importers.
Consumers have been advised to check their homes for the products and throw away any cookware that may contain lead.
Meanwhile, cookware retailers and distributors are being encouraged to consult with the FDA regarding the safety and regulatory status of any products
Cookware, particularly certain imported aluminum, aluminum alloy and brass items, can contain the heavy metal lead that leaches into food, posing health risks.
These products may be made from recycled materials, such as car parts, which can contaminate the aluminum or brass during manufacturing.
A growing body of research has linked prolonged exposure to lead with learning disabilities and autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Beyond neurological effects, exposure to heavy metals has also been associated with cancer, kidney disease, birth defects, and cardiovascular dysfunction, as it builds up in vital organs and damages cells and neurons.
The FDA notes that even low levels of lead exposure can cause serious health problems, particularly in children and fetuses, and there is no ‘safe’ level.
The agency noted: ‘Consuming food with elevated lead levels can contribute to elevated levels of lead in the blood.
‘Children and babies are more susceptible to lead toxicity due to their smaller body size, metabolism, and rapid growth.’
At low levels, children may not have obvious symptoms but can still experience trouble learning, low IQ and behavior changes.
At higher levels of lead exposure, symptoms of lead poisoning can include abdominal pain, vomiting, lethargy, irritability, weakness, behavior or mood changes, delirium, seizures, and coma.
Additionally, lead exposure in adults can also lead to high blood pressure, kidney damage, increase the risk of cancer, reduce fertility and neurological issues.
In the US, the FDA has determined that there is no safe level of lead exposure in adults or children.
Lead is poisonous when inhaled, as well as through contact with the skin and ingestion.
There is no exact annual figure for lead poisoning cases in the US, but it is estimated that nearly 500,000 children under five years old have elevated blood lead levels.
The FDA has banned the use of lead in products that come into contact with food, including cookware.
Additionally, starting January 1, 2026, Washington state will become the first state to ban the sale and manufacture of metal cookware that contains more than five parts per million (ppm) of lead.
This ban extends to components like handles and knobs.
No illnesses or health-related complaints related to the multiple recalls have been reported at this time.
Read more …..https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-15331911/recall-cookware-contamination-cancer-lead-toxin.html
Daily Mail Uk, MukTv
